ILT20 2023 match preview: Gulf Giants v Desert Vipers

Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2023 ILT20

What's the match?

Desert Vipers take on Gulf Giants in the latest instalment of the ILT20 2023. 

When is it taking place?

Start of play is scheduled for 2pm local time (10am GMT) on Saturday, February 4.

Where is the match being played?

The game was be played at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.

Who's got the form?

Top and second place meet on Saturday, with a win enough to take Gulf Giants back to the summit. Desert Vipers play their final round-robin fixture, having won seven and lost two so far.

Gulf Giants have only lost once all term, but have seen two matches fall victim to the weather. 

The Giants won the earlier meeting of the sides this season, chasing down 196 with five wickets and three balls to spare.

Shimron Hetmyer of Gulf Giants (Getty Images)

What's the key match-up?

Contain Alex Hales and you are halfway there against Desert Vipers. Hales has a frankly ridiculous 439 runs in the competition, averaging over 62 with a strike rate in excess of 154. How Gulf Giants combat him in the powerplay will be fascinating - expect to see Rehan Ahmed given a go in the first six overs (though he'll need to do better than the previous meeting with the Vipers, when he went for 52 in four overs).

What's the weather forecast?

A sunny but mild day with temperatures expected to hit 21 degrees Celsius. 

What is the team news?

For Gulf Giants, Ollie Pope is now with England's Test squad in New Zealand. Jamie Overton misses the whole season through injury.

What are the squads?

Desert Vipers: Colin Munro (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Sam Billings, Alex Hales, Tom Curran, Matheesha Pathirana, Sherfane Rutherford, Sheldon Cottrell, Benny Howell, Ruben Trumpelmann, Mark Watt, Tymal Mills, Adam Lyth, Rohan Mustafa, Shiraz Ahmad, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly, Dinesh Chandimal, Gus Atkinson, Jake Lintott, Luke Wood

Gulf Giants: Shimron Hetmyer, Chris Jordan, Chris Lynn, Tom Banton, Dominic Drakes, David Wiese, Jamie Overton, Richard Gleeson, Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson, James Vince (c), Qais Ahmad, Ollie Pope, Aayan Khan, Sanchit Sharma, CP Rizwaan, Ashwant Valthapa, Tom Helm, Gerhard Erasmus

*Squads are for the whole ILT20 and not specific to this match

^{Sheldon Cottrell of Desert Vipers (screengrab/ILT20)}

What are the possible starting XIs?

Desert Vipers: Rohan Mustafa, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Sam Billings, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sherfane Rutherford, Tom Curran, Luke Wood, Gus Atkinson, Sheldon Cottrell, Sheraz Ahmed Piya

Gulf Giants: Tom Banton, James Vince, Chris Lynn, Gerhard Erasmus, Shimron Hetmyer, David Wiese, Chris Jordan, Rehan Ahmed, Aayal Afzal Khan, Dominic Drakes, Sanchit Sharma

What are the odds?

Paddy Power can barely split these. Desert Vipers are marginal outsiders at 10/11, with Gulf Giants 4/5.

What's the prediction?

So tough to call. Desert Vipers are in relentless form, though, and should have the edge.

Are tickets available?

Tickets are available on Platinum List. Child tickets are available for just $2.81 while adult tickets start at $8.42.

Where can I watch the game?

ZEE have obtained the broadcast rights for the ILT20 on a long-term deal.

All 34 matches will be aired across the company's 10 linear channels, with coverage provided in more than 10 languages, including English, Hindi and Tamil, as well as on ZEE5 Global.

In the UK, Zee TV can be accessed via channel 709 on Sky and channel 809 on Virgin Media. Every match will also be available via BT Sport (TV/online/app) following a deal betwee the broadcaster and Zee.

Elsewhere in the world, the full tournament will be available via Zee Cinema (SD/HD), Zee Anmol Cinema, ZEE Thirai, Zee Bangla Cinema, Zee Zest (SD/HD), &Pictures, &Flix, and ZEE5.